Answer
In this counseling answer:
“While as Muslims we can teach others about Islam and Allah (swt), it is only Allah (swt) who guides whom He wills. By excessively worrying about this, sister, you are in essence trying to take control over what is Allah’s (swt).”
As-Salamu ‘Alaykum dear sister,
Thank you for writing to us with your understandable concerns. It is natural as Muslims to feel sad and even upset that people do not love or believe in Allah (swt). As you stated, some people even go out of their way to try to prove that Allah (swt) does not exist. In a hadith, it’s stated that
“While Allah’s Messenger (saw) was sitting in the mosque with some people, three men came. Two of them came in front of Allah’s Messenger (saw) and the third one went away. The two persons kept on standing before Allah’s Messenger (saw) for a while and then one of them found a place in the circle and sat there while the other sat behind the gathering, and the third one went away. When Allah’s Messenger (saw) finished his preaching, he said, “Shall I tell you about these three persons? One of them betook himself to Allah, so Allah took him into His grace and mercy and accommodated hi, the second felt shy from Allah, so Allah sheltered Him in His mercy (and did not punish him), while the third turned his face from Allah and went away, so Allah turned His face from him likewise. “(Bukhari)
As we can see, dear sister, those that hear the news of Allah (swt) and turn away from Him, Allah (swt) also turns away from that person. It is Allah (swt) who guides us to Islam, and to Him. It is Allah (swt) who decides their fate.
Sister, there are many who love and serve Allah (swt), and then there are those who do not. Their hearts are hardened and Allah (swt) knows best. While as Muslims we can teach others about Islam and Allah (swt), it is only Allah (swt) who guides whom He wills.
Therefore, your worrying and feeling sad about those who reject Allah (swt) as well as those seeking to prove He (swt) does not exist are normal feelings. But you must also understand that it is by Allah’s will that those who hear the good news respond. By excessively worrying about this, sister, you are in essence trying to take control over what is Allah’s (swt).
Most Muslims love Allah (swt) so much that it is in the very fabric of their hearts and souls. It is this love for and fear of Allah (swt) that implores Muslims to seek to please Allah (swt) as well as tell others of Allah (swt) and Islam. The great love we have for Allah (swt) and the Prophet Mohammad (saw) can be overwhelming at times as it is such a wonderful blessing. We wish that everyone would love Allah (swt) as we do.
However, as Muslims, we know that Allah (swt) has written everyone’s book of life, and only He (swt) knows who will be a follower and who will be one who rejects. To try to shift or change this fact is essentially trying to change Allah’s qadr. A hadith summarizes this very nicely stating,
“When the drop of (semen) remains in the womb for forty or fifty (days) or forty nights, the angel comes and says: My Lord, will he be good or evil? And both these things would be written. Then the angel says: My Lord, would he be male or female? And both these things are written. And his deeds and actions, his death, his livelihood; these are also recorded. Then his document of destiny is rolled and there is no addition to nor subtraction from it”. (Muslim)
Therefore, Allah (swt) is in control over these things, sister, not us.
Further, to worry excessively and feel sad over these things is taking away from other deeds and things we could be doing to serve Allah (swt).
I would kindly ask you, sister, to look at other areas of your life. Do you worry excessively about other things that are beyond your control? Do you often feel anxiety or panic when a certain situation occurs that you have no control over? When did this worrying and sadness about others not loving or believing in Allah (swt) begin? It would be great if you started a journal to document your feelings, thoughts, and any symptoms related to anxiety, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
OCD often manifests itself as part of an anxiety spectrum. People with OCD often have intrusive thoughts and worries which they cannot help themselves from thinking about. These thoughts often accompany an action which is often repetitive and relieves the anxiety of the thought. If you have any of the symptoms discussed in these articles, dear sister, please seek out counseling from a therapist in your area who specializes in OCD/Anxiety.
While I do not know if you do, in fact, suffer from anxiety, OCD or any other mental health concern, the fact that you are extremely worried and sad about this issue and possibly others may indicate a need for an evaluation. As stated, keeping a journal of your thoughts, feelings, and triggers of your worrying and sadness will be helpful in resolving it, especially if you do engage in counseling to help overcome it. These types of mental health issues are common, sister, and can be treated if you do in fact suffer from any one of the above conditions or other mental health issues. The key will be your willingness to seek out help and start on the road to healing.
While it is very clear, sister, that you love Allah (swt) dearly, Allah (swt) does not want us to worry excessively or be sad all the time over those who will not heed His call. You sound like a beautiful, pious sister with a big heart for all of the mankind. Wanting everyone to share in the knowledge and love of Allah (swt) is a wonderful thing; however, it should not impede your life or consume your emotions to a point wherein it is a major point in your life. Allah (swt) has created you to move on with other tasks, gifts, and blessings that He has in store for you.
Please, start a journal to document your thoughts, feelings, and triggers. In sha’ Allah, seek out counseling to rule out any issues with anxiety, OCD, depression. Make du’aa’ to Allah (swt) that He helps you through this process of accepting His qadr for others.
We wish you the best,
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Disclaimer: The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information provided in the question. In no event shall AboutIslam, its counselors or employees be held liable for any damages that may arise from your decision in the use of our services.
